Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-06-25
Agnes tells me II is the general

with lace beamlng with gratlhcatIOn, Tor
| she imagines her pet plan is on the eve OF
| prosperity.
That evening, too restless to sleep, Janet
steps out of her bedroom window upon the
| balcony, and seating herself by the railing.
she leans her head upon her hand, and
while her eyes wander over the meonlit
| sea, she gives herself up to the thoughts
which crowd thickly into her mind, and of
| which the foremost is, @Shall please my
aunt by SAYING yes to Bertram to- morrow
Do care for him enough to marry him, or
| is it only as friend his society is SO pleas
ant to me!"
Suddenly the wind watts upward to her
ears some words spoken in a voice she
| recognises.
Congratulate me, Rollins. old fellow;
I've played my game almost to the winning
point. Tomorrow l have good reason to
| think tho heiress will be mine-and it's
lucky, for I've nearly got through all my
money. Though, to- tell the truth, I'm
fortunate III more ways than one, Tor, be-
sides the additional attraction, the girls a
| dear, tender hearted little thing"
AS Janet bends forward she sees, walk
ing slowly along, their backs to the bal
cony, Bertram Wyland and an intimate
friend. Her eyes have not deceived her
I it is Enthusiastically he who has just spoken.
Every vestige of color leaves the girls
face as she re-enters her room. Is there
no truth in the world? Are all men either
cowardly or mercenaryI
Hot tears rise to the young eyes as
Janet kneels down to give thanks for the
providence that has opened her eyes be.
fore her feet were allowed to wander into q
path the termination of which would have
been her life's wreck. She does not fall
asleep at once, not until dawn does @tired
Natures sweet restorer" visit her couch.
Her eyes have been closed, it seems to her,
but very few moments, though it is in
reality an hour, when she is suddenly
awakened by suffocating sensation and
the appalling cry of @Fire!"
Springing to her feet, with trembling
hands she wraps herself in her dressing
robe, which is near upon chair, and
rushes to the door, and opens it only to be
driven back by the volume of fame and
smoke.
"Janet! where are your" some one calls,
and just as she is falling, terrified, into un-
consciousness by the dire peril which
menaces her, q strong arm catches her.
But the fire has gained such rapid head.
way that the halls are impossible, and
darling to the window, John March raises
it and calls for aid to the crowd below. A
ladder is quickly brought, and he descends
in safety and lays his precious burden in
her aunts arms.
The inmates of the burning building are
speedily made comfortable in a neighbour
ing hotel, and there, the following morn.
ing, Janet had two callers.
She is trifle pale, but never has she
looked so beautiful in Bertram Wyland's
eyes as, in few cold words, she refuses
his suit, and he realizes that she is lost to
him forever. A few hours later Mr.. March
enters the room his rival but so lately left.
He comes to bid Janet goodbye, as he
intends to leave for the city that afternoon.
He talks while, and then rises to go.
"Good-bye, Miss Alcott, he says, taking
her hand and looking down upon her with
yearning expression on his strong, noble
face. II would like to think that though
we may never meet again, you will some.
times give friendly thought to me.
A soft color fits over Janets face as she
answers, u shall never forget, Mr.. March,
that it is to you owe my life."
The touch of her warm, soft hand sent q
thrill through all the young mans frame,
and his resolution to go without bringing
upon himself the pain of q refusal melted
away.
"Janet, he exclaimed, II had meant to
be SILENT but can hide from you no
longer that love you! Sometimes have
dared to hope you cherished feeling for
me which time might deepen to something
warmer, but of late you have been SO cold
my heart has failed me-"
As she hears, and looks up into his
earnest face, Janet feels that what she
heard could never be-and without pausing
IN fhink ho fron11u tails him oil A r1a
Of indignation overspreads his face as he
exclaims: sand that base act was laid at
my door! Why, it was I myself who saved
the child! Your informer has deceived
you. All, how much harm few words
IAN do! So that is the explanation of your
Indifference? janet" he said, coming
closer to her side, and striving to read the
expression of the sweet, averted face,
you say that you owe to me your life.
May not have your life's love for my re-
ward?"
She draws herself little away as she
says: Before I give you your answer
wantto tell you something. 1t is this: that
am not rich, as every one seems to sup
pose, for my aunt could not will her
to me if she wished to do SO. It
is TO go upon her death to -"
"a nephew of her husband, whom she
has never seen, and who she thinks is even
now in his country home," puts in John.
aAm l not right?" he says, answering
Janets look of surprise.
eyes. But how did you knowi"
AS am John March Elmer, that verita- |!
bic nephew himself, hardly see how can |
help knowing. came here, three months |
ago, direct to your aunts home, but found
her gone; and upon inquiry, learning her |
Immediately followed, think
ing to amuse myself by make her acquaint-
ance incoRnito. Now, Cousin Janet, am |
waiting for my answer"
When Mrs. Elmer learns the true state of |
affairs her feeling of relief at the disap-
pointment of her own plan is almost too
great to put into words.
Janet had never regretted her choice, for |
in her husbands protecting love her days |
glide by in one sweet idyl Of delight and
content
SEMNoLA suggests that Bright's dis
ease is degenerative disease of the |
skin as well as of the kidneys, and that
the action of cold and wet upou the |